On this day, 9 June, in 1971, Universal Pictures released They Might Be Giants. It’s one of my all-time favorite films. But I must admit that the first time I saw it I was bewildered by it. I just didn’t grok it. I guess I was just too young and too sane.
Or maybe it is that the film is all about the nature of reality — something I didn’t connect with much when I was young. Now it’s the main thing I think about. In the film, George C Scott plays Justin Playfair, a retired judge who thinks he is Sherlock Holmes. Or is he Sherlock Holmes? I’d say that you are more likely to enjoy the film if you go along with it.
But the main thing in They Might Be Giants is that it is filled with colorful characters played by colorful character actors like Al Lewis (The Night Strangler), Rue McClanahan, Oliver Clark, and Jack Gilford.
How to Watch They Might Be Giants
I highly recommend seeing it if you haven’t. Below, I’ll embed a great print. But you can get it on Blu-ray with a director commentary, a featurette, and the extra scene in the grocery store (sadly not integrated with the film as it has been in other releases).
This is the 55th anniversary of its release. And here is the whole film with the full grocery store scene!
See also: our article on the film.
Other 9 June Anniversaries
Filmmakers
- Bernard Woolner (1910-): Half of the Woolner Brothers who produced Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, Castle of Blood, and other psychotronic delights.
- Robert Wright Campbell (1927-): Screenwriter known for Teenage Caveman and The Masque of the Red Death.
- Michael J Fox (1961-): Actor known for many films but especially Teen Wolf.
- Johnny Depp (1963-): Star of many psychotronic films — especially those of Tim Burton.
- Natalie Portman (1981-): Actor known for The Professional, V for Vendetta, and more.
Films
- Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1972): A theater troupe goes to an island and pretends to put on a Satanic ritual and, well, you know! Excellent low-budget film.
- The Cat From Outer Space (1978): Disney film about a space alien cat. Tons of fun!
- Damien: Omen II (1989): The brat is back — with puberty.
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989): “What does God need with a starship?”
- Witchcraft V: Dance With the Devil (1993): A warlock collects souls at a strip club to summon Satan. The first film of the series that went toward softcore porn.
- Congo (1995): A team goes into the jungle to find out why everyone who went before died.
- Gone in 60 Seconds (2000): Thief must steal 50 cars in 3 days to save his brother.
- It Comes at Night (2017): Two families try to survive after some catastrophe.
- The Mummy (2017): Female mummy in this effort.
They Might Be Giants (1971) Blu-ray cover via Kino Lorber under Fair Use.